The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-07
TWO STATE CHESS CHAMPIONS.
An Unsettled Dispute as to Who Is Really En-
titled to the Honor.

The meeting of the State Chess Association at
Maxinkuckee came to an end harmoniously on
Thursday last There were present Dr. Leech,
of Judson, and SIX members from Fort Wayne
including Paul F. Kuhne. who won the major
prize at the last winter tourney and ia the sec
rotary Of the Fort Wayne Chess Club and it's
leading player. After the winter tourney. W.
h Ripley, secretary of the Indianapolis Chess
Club, and Mr.. Kuhne entered into a contract to
play for the championship of the State, the
match to take place in Fort Wayne about the LIST
Of May. The match resulted in favor Of MIR. Rip
ley and was so adjudicated by the judges and az
''uncommitted party" as required by the written
contract between them. One judge refused to
concur in the adjudication, and Mr.. Kuhne ap-
pealed to the State association. The association
decided that the parties were under no obliga-
ton by virtue of any rule Of the association to
enter into the contract for the match. and that
It had no Jurisdiction of the matter. AS between
Ripley and Kuhne. the match for the State
championship remains as 1t terminated-in favor
Of Mr.. Ripley.
Mr. Ripley was unable to attend this last con-
test, but sent word that he would be willing to
play any member in Indianapolis and would see
that all hotel bills OF his competitors were paid
and if DR.. Leech. the winner of the major prize,
wouid come, his railroad expenses would also be
paid. Mr.. Kuhne was present but declined to
Lesch and three Fit Wayne players, who. in
local contests had never been able to win
match against Mr.. Kuhne. All three lost to DIR.
Leech, whereupon two resolutions were passed,
one that Dr. Leech was the State champion by
virtue of the result of this contest and one that
Mr.. kuhne was champion by virtue or the con-
test last winter. Mr. Kuhne by being
present at this contest and refusing to play,
against DIR. Leech, can make no
claim to be State champion. especially since
these two have played three match games under
the rules OF the association with the result of
two for the Doctor and one for Mr.. kuhue. AS
between Dr. Leech and Mr.. Ripley, the latter
by failing to attend the meeting can, it is
serted, claim no right to contest for the prize
there easily won by the former. But the
Doctor cannot claim to be the champion over
him as they have played under the rules of
the association six games, four of which were
won by Mr.. Ripley. and two were drawn. and
Mr.. Ripley has led him in every Tournaments
in which both joined.
Fort Wayne people regard Mr.. Kuhne as the
champion, and the Gazette of that city asserts
that he .'holds the championship undisputed
diaDapolis." The Cincinnati Commercial-Ga-
zette. however, recognizes DR.. T. F. Leech
the champion, and asserts that he has been
declared.
A set match between Mr. Ripley and DR.. Leech
and will soon take place at any time and
place the Doctor will stipulate. 1t is
claimed that never before this meet
ing has a tourney of this character been con-
sidered an adjudication of the cham pion-
ship. In support CT this assertion a chess player
cites the fact that Captain Mckenzie, of New
York, has just won the first prize at Frankfort,
Germany. in an international tourney between
the leading masters of England, Germany,
France, Russia, Italy and Austria. but no chess
journal, while passing the highest compliments
on him for his fine record, claims that thereby
he is in any sense a champion. He has simply
the high rank of being master. The
Maxinkuckee meeting, therefore. could not
claim TO do moro.